DFW FUN EVENTI CAN HEAR YOU!!! Hi my name is Sharon I suffered from sudden onset deafness, after coming out of a coma. They say it was the Vancomycin anti-biotic that caused my deafness. I also suffered Kidney Failure, Liver Shock, and a Heart Attack.  Needless to say I was in "Shock" after all this.

When I first joined this community I was almost totally deaf and totally frightened. Had no where to turn.

This is when the option of receiving Cochlear Implants was presented to me, after 16 months of deafness. I yearned to move forward so I went on a search for information.

I didn't even know what a blog was let alone how to maneuver in this place. So if you are new here welcome and hang in there.

I went through what many go through. The depression, shock, and withdrawal from people as I could no longer hear.  I shed many tears, and felt so lonely. I had a great fear of not knowing what my life held now.

I remember sitting for two months totally deaf and depressed on my couch. Everyone could hear me but I could hear no one.  At that point I began to hear a little sound (not much) and was taken by my son to a specialist tested and given hearing aids. My son was my hero during that time.  He was there for me for 3 months took all that time off work and never blinked.

The first pair lasted about 4 months I thought they were broken and kept taking them back only to find that my hearing quality had dropped and they were of no more use to me.  They were then replaced with some high tech and very expensive BTE aids. They too only lasted a few months when what little hearing I had began to deteriorate again. Hearing and understanding my children, grandchildren, husband, mom at this point became almost impossible. This time I knew I couldn't withdraw. This time I  had to find some answers.  So I got on my computer and began my search.

I was directed to the Goodrich Deaf Center here in Fort Worth it stated on their website walk in's accepted.  So I got in my car drove to the Center.  This is  where I met Karen Moulder the hearing resource specialist who has had such an impact on my life and gave me the information on Cochlear Implants. I didn't know anything like this existed. Actually I had ment Karen once before but could not remember it.  The hospital had called her for help when they realized I was deafened.  She came to the hospital to visit with me and to leave them instructions on how to communicate with me thru the use of a laptop computer.  I did recognize her immediately upon arriving at the deaf center.

 She referred me to Dallas as there was not a Dr. in this area to do the implants. After all the testing they informed me that I was not a candidate for Implants. What a disappointment.

I began to have severe ear infections from the HA molds and my right eardrum blew. I believe there is a God and this is when the Lord put me into the hands of a newly arrived ENT in the Ft. Worth area Dr. Ricardo Cristobal he helped clear up the infections and did a major eardrum surgery.  Well as faith would have it Dr. Cristobal was and is one of the best CI surgeons available. I went thru the evaluation process and was approved for my first CI. (The Freedom)I had a lot of fears from some previous mis-information I was given, and that is where this Cochlear Community came into play I came on here expressed my fears over losing all my residual hearing. Paula Moore was one of the first to respond to my fears along with Margo, Lil  and others  She informed me that they were having a upcoming Cochlear Event she was sponsoring, at the Goodrich Center in Fort Worth in which of all people Dr. Cristobal would be speaking. I attended the event and whatever remaining fears I had were overcome. All my remaining questions were answered. I was ready to go. 

I was implanted in June with the Freedom Implant.(my first implant)  Wow it was wonderful! With work and patience I could now hear my entire family and actually carry on conversations, hear on the telephone, watch TV eventually without caption. Also hear my ailing mother whom I hadn't been able to hear in months.

Well now without a doubt I was ready to move forward if one implant could do that I wanted two.  In Oct. I received my second implant the N5. So I now have the surround sounds so many talk about it is a absolutely awesome  and I feel so balanced again.   Going bilateral was the way to go for me.   I think this is where I will stop as all my blogs tell the rest of the story and more.  My saying is I have gone from Deaf to Life (hearing) again.

 You will have many questions wherever you, or a loved one are in this journey.  My goal now, is to try to be the help that so many here on the community were for me.  Any question you have someone here on the community will probably be able to answer and give you the support you need I'm am so happy and feel alive again with my CI's.  Thank you Lord. One of the most touching things for me was that this last month I was able to hear Mom again as she prayed for me as she left this world to enter the Heavens.  Actually had the "Joy" of hearing her the last year of her illness.  This community has changed my life and I thank Cochlear Americas for this life changing experience.  The caring and compassion her surpasses all that I have ever seen.  A true life changing time in my life was attending "Cochlear Celebration"  2011 the experience there is beyond description and a high poing in my life.  Sharing our stories and meeting our virtual friends was phenomenal.  We all shared the same happiness of hearing again and all so thankful for this.  Had I not come to this community i would not be where I am today and not have the special friends I have made to help me further this journey.  Thank you all my special Buddies here on Cochlear Community..